The Night Before Christmas poem still a favorite two centuries later
Finish this sentence: “’Twas the night before Christmas….” Easy, wasn’t it? Clement Moore’s poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (the original title) was originally published in 1823. Nearly 200 years later, it is still widely read and recited around Christmas time.
In fact, a search for this poem in our library catalog brings up 70 results. From this list, we quickly find that the beauty of Moore’s poetry isn’t just the words; it’s also the creative enhancements added by artists along the way.
Thanks to our library collection, you can find a retelling that appeals most to you, in the format you enjoy. If you’re reading to small children, you may find that they prefer the blocky simplicity of Tomie dePaola’s or Rachel Isadora’s art. On the other hand, you may enjoy the Scandinavian borders and detailed scenes that characterize Jan Brett’s work.
Other artists find a unique perspective in Moore’s work. Barbara Reid uses Plasticine illustrations to reimagine the story from the perspective of the mice mentioned in the poem’s first line.
Other authors and artists do their own spin on the well-known tale. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: an African-American Version by Melodye Rosales reimagines the story from the perspective of a turn-of-the-century African-American family, ensuring inclusion for children of color who too rarely find someone who looks like them in illustrated books.
You can also revel in the familiarity of well-loved characters. If you’re a Frozen fan, try Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Julius and Mosqueda. Even the Berenstain Bears, Little Critter and – get this – Frankenstein have their own “night before Christmas” adventures, too.
If you have a dinosaur fanatic at home, you’re in luck. Try Tyrannoclaus Lawler and Shroades, or The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas by Meucke and Hale. Even Sesame Street fans have a version with their favorite characters.
Tired of the stilted 19th century vocabulary? Bring the poem a little closer to home (or at least to the mountains) with Hillbilly Night Afore Christmas by Turner and Rice, a retelling of the poem in Appalachian dialect.
Art is more than visual. Try creating the characters in the beloved poem yourself with The Night Before Christmas in Crochet: The Complete Poem with Easy-to-Make Amigurumi Characters by Mitsuki Hoshi. It’s a beautifully tactile way to make the poem come to life!
Maybe you need something to distract the kids so you can finish that last-minute Christmas gift wrapping. The whole family can still enjoy this Christmas favorite on DVD or audio CD.
Perhaps what makes a poem or story truly timeless is its ability to adapt over time, reappearing in familiar forms or innovative spins. “’Twas the night before Christmas” isn’t just a familiar line, it’s a story in which we are participants. When we hear the poem, our imagination takes over and creates a world unique to us, the listener or reader. That’s the true power of stories – we can all enjoy the same story, yet the experience is uniquely our own. What’s your version?
A Visit from St. Nicholas
By Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a luster of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
